Matagami, Quebec, February 4, 2010 – Matagami’s arena and municipal centre indoor swimming pool will soon be renovated, today jointly announced the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development and Pierre Corbeil, Quebec Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec Regions and Member of the National Assembly for Abitibi-Est, acting on behalf of Michelle Courchesne, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports.
The project, which will require an overall investment of $1,008,724, will be carried out in partnership with the City of Matagami and will benefit from $497,993 in combined government funding contributed in equal part by the governments of Quebec and Canada. The work will involve various renovations and upgrades to bring the pool and arena up to current standards.
The Matagami municipal centre and arena were built in the 1960s. Improvements to these facilities are consistent with a dedication to ensuring their sustainability, facilitating access to quality recreational and sports infrastructure in the territory of the municipality while addressing a major community need.
“In supporting this major project, the Government of Canada is moving forward to ensure our municipalities have infrastructure that suits their unique realities while fostering sustainable development, a key element of any modern, wealth-building economy. We are proud to be able to offer Canadians the high level of quality of life that has become our country’s trademark. That is why our government introduced the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program, through which $500 million will be invested over two years in the modernization of sports and recreational facilities across the country. The renovation of the Matagami arena and municipal centre indoor pool will also make it possible to develop new sports activities, which is sure to delight all of the users of these services,” added Minister of State Lebel.
“I am proud that our governments are working together with the City of Matagami to provide residents with a modern and attractive swimming pool and arena. These two sports facilities will be getting a major facelift! We are encouraging citizens to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle,” said MNA Pierre Corbeil.
The governments of Canada and Quebec signed an agreement to accelerate the execution of recreational infrastructure modernization and rehabilitation projects in Quebec over the next two years. To that end, the Government of Canada will invest $76 million and the Government of Quebec at least an equivalent amount in recreational infrastructure projects carried out in cost-sharing partnership with municipal administrations or local organizations. These investments are thus expected to generate greater financial leverage, as is the case with the other infrastructure programs.
The funding announced today has been awarded through the Programme de soutien aux installations sportives et récréatives of the Government of Quebec’s Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique and through the Government of Canada’s Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program.
About the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan adopted by the federal government last January, is intended to stimulate immediate economic recovery and reduce the short-term impacts of the global recession. Government investment in this area will help create new jobs and improve the population’s health and quality of life. For more on this plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca.
About the Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique
The Fonds pour le développement du sport et de l’activité physique was established by the Government of Quebec to ensure all the province’s regions access to new and improved sports facilities in order to promote healthier lifestyles among their populations. More information on this initiative can be found at: www.mels.gouv.qc.ca.
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Sources:
Tamara Davis
Press Secretary to the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports
Tel.: 418-644-0664
Hélène Sauvageau
Press Secretary to the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec Regions
Tel.: 418-646-9131
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca
Marie-Claude Lemire
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-283-2199
E-mail: marie-claude.lemire@dec-ced.gc.ca
